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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Published in:

01-07-2012 | Original Article

Diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography in patients with paraganglioma: a meta-analysis

Authors: Giorgio Treglia, Fabrizio Cocciolillo, Chiara de Waure, Francesco Di Nardo, Maria Rosaria Gualano, Paola Castaldi, Vittoria Rufini, Alessandro Giordano

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 7/2012

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of published data about the diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with paraganglioma (PG).

Methods

A comprehensive computer literature search of studies published through 30 June 2011 regarding ¹⁸F-DOPA PET or PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with PG was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of ¹⁸F-DOPA PET or PET/CT in patients with PG on a per patient- and on a per lesion-based analysis were calculated. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to measure the accuracy of ¹⁸F-DOPA PET or PET/CT in patients with PG. Furthermore, a sub-analysis taking into account the different genetic mutations in PG patients was also performed.

Results

Eleven studies comprising 275 patients with suspected PG were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity of ¹⁸F-DOPA PET and PET/CT in detecting PG was 91% [95% confidence interval (CI) 87–94%] on a per patient-based analysis and 79% (95% CI 76–81%) on a per lesion-based analysis. The pooled specificity of ¹⁸F-DOPA PET and PET/CT in detecting PG was 95% (95% CI 86–99%) on a per patient-based analysis and 95% (95% CI 84–99%) on a per lesion-based analysis. The area under the ROC curve was 0.95 on a per patient- and 0.94 on a per lesion-based analysis. Heterogeneity between the studies about sensitivity of ¹⁸F-DOPA PET or PET/CT was found. A significant increase in sensitivity of ¹⁸F-DOPA PET or PET/CT was observed when a sub-analysis excluding patients with succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) gene mutations was performed.

Conclusion

In patients with suspected PG ¹⁸F-DOPA PET or PET/CT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity. ¹⁸F-DOPA PET or PET/CT are accurate methods in this setting. Nevertheless, possible sources of false-negative results should be kept in mind. Furthermore, SDHB gene mutations could influence ¹⁸F-DOPA PET or PET/CT diagnostic performance.

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Title: Diagnostic performance of 18F-dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography in patients with paraganglioma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Giorgio Treglia
Fabrizio Cocciolillo
Chiara de Waure
Francesco Di Nardo
Maria Rosaria Gualano
Paola Castaldi
Vittoria Rufini
Alessandro Giordano
Publication date: 01-07-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 7/2012
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-012-2087-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography in patients with paraganglioma: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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